Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely wonderful !!
Review: This is the most awesome animated movie ever to come out of Japan. Stunningly beautiful with images that will stay with you long after you have seen it. I have seen the subtitled version and the dubbed version and beleive me the dubbing is completely perfect ! The words and voices are a very good match for the original. Only one word of caution - this is NOT a children's movie. My 7 year old niece is still having nightmares about her parents turning into pigs...
Rating:
Summary: Nothing short of the best
Review: Spirited away, is most certainly the best animation i have seen, and quite possibly, the best movie aswell. No one other animation producer/directors can even hold a candle to Miyazaki. Miyazaki's films use about 100 animators hand drawing each frame of the film, the result is the inevitability of a magical, strange, and most certainly beautiful visual. Not only is the film a wonderful feast for the eyes, it is also a quite amazing story, which is a 12 course meal for the mind. You may think what does this sixteen year old know about good movies, and maybe i dont know anything, but i can give reference to other movies i would put at the top with Spirited Away:
Donnie Darko, Happy Accidents, Office Space, Requium For A Dream, and Pulf Fiction.
I consider these all very good movies, and if you havent seen them you could consider them good rentals next time you take a trip to the movie rental place. Any way Spirited Away is definatly a great movie, and i am confused how anyone could say otherwise,even if 2 or 3 of the scenes gave their little four year old a shutter.
Rating:
Summary: Not all kids are the same
Review: I've read more than a few unfavorable reviews where the main complaint was that the kids were scared. I took my two (ages 5 and 4), and they weren't frightened in the least. From the moment the movie started, they were entranced.I thought they might be a scared during some of the more intense parts, but I think the tone of the film helped. The kids seemed to know that the characters weren't really as sinister as they might appear. The visuals were amazing, the story was interesting, the movie was great. I didn't perceive anything as being 'anti-western', despite what some others have said. It never crossed my mind that the greed rampant at the bath house was in any way meant to parallel the western world. I saw only that the innocence, caring and determination we'd like to find in all young children (no matter where they're from) helped Chihiro overcome all obstacles and remain apart from the greed all around her. This movie was absolutely wonderful, and my children can't stop talking about it.
Rating:
Summary: I found it more enjoyable than Princess Mononoke~
Review: I'm a fan of Miyazaki's works (My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, Kiki's Delivery Service, being the most popular) and out of all of them, I must say Spirited Away was probaly the best! While all of the ones I saw were wonderful, this one sticks out the most in my mind. The storyline is very original, as it is for all ages to enjoy. It's not kiddy while not adult-oriented at the same time. It's very neutral in the way it presents itself. The animation is crisp and fresh as you get a good view of Japan's countryside and every detail goes into the backgrounds and characters. Every detail and action seems very realistic. The music is also a very nice addition to sum up the way the scenes are being presented. This is a movie you do not want to miss!
Rating:
Summary: Hayao Miyazaki is a genious
Review: The previews don't show the actual impact the movie has! It is one of the most creative/imaginitive movies I've ever seen. Even though it has a PG rating this movie is definitely for everyone. It isn't like pokemon or most other Disney movies that are geared for kids. This movie DOES has some frightening or shocking parts that don't make it suitable for kids under the age of 7 or so. From the beginning the story grabs you and doesn't let go. Whenever Chihiro enters a new place it makes you wonder what she'll see next. Without spoiling the story, I will say that this movie is absolutely amazing and topples even princess mononoke (miyazaki's last film), and that you definitly won't be disappointed with this magnificent work of art. Catch it in the theaters before it's too late! and make sure to bring all of your friends with you. "The best animated movie that I can remember seeing! I left the theater 2 days ago and can't stop thinking about it."
Rating: 
Summary: NOT for my kids!!!
Review: This is an absolute outrage! Who do these Japanese moviemakers think they are? This violence and gratuitous mayhem is beyond reproach! Chihiro's parents getting turned into pigs scared my 8 year old to death. The grotesque vomiting by No-Face made ME want to vomit right in my seat. ... Don't bother!
Rating:
Summary: More than you expect...
Review: I had the privelege of seeing this movie on the big screen in a subtitled and dubbed version. To say I was impressed was an understatement at the very least. Being an animation major and having a serious interest and passable knowledge of Japanese Culture/History I was in seventh heaven when I saw this film. The use of 2D traditional cel animation as the primary storytelling device is both refreshing and important. Flashy 3D effects do not a better story make (Treasure Planet and this year's academy award winning short The ChubbChubbs being good examples of that). The 3D effects in this film are subtle and are used to enhance the story rather than cover up for gaping plot holes. Character design is on spot and the backgrounds sport more details than the past three Disney movies. One of the things I've always loved about Miyazaki is the way he makes things look real. They don't look like stage sets (as many of Disney's films do) and add an element of realism/depth that make the story all the more relevant. Things are messy and imperfect. I KNOW how hard it was to make this film and because of its sophisticated themes (greed/gluttony, environmental pollution/cleansing), dark ideas (slavery, death, etc) and somewhat scary moments I was very sure it wouldn't make it to big screen at all. Disney for once did the right thing and despite their lackluster promotion of the film it did receive the American accolades it deserved (99 top 10 lists and the Academy Award Best Animated Picture) This movie is not for young kids, as there are real moments of danger for the main characters and things that little children will not understand. Miyazaki is NOT Disney. Unfortunately a lot of people see animation and think it must automatically be kid friendly. It is important you do your homework before taking a young child to this movie. That being said if you are at all interested in fantasy adventures like Alice in Wonderland (the original not the Disney treatment/sanitization) or The Neverending Story this is for you! For film buffs I suggest the original Japanese soundtrack with English subtitles as they speak much more to the Japanese culture aspects that were squashed in the Disney dub.
Rating:
Summary: Spirited Away has me blown away
Review: I'm writing this after having seen Spirited Away for the second time. It is simply a wonderful movie. For the moviegoing viewers that get their dose of anime from Dragonball Z, this movie may be disappointing. There are no transforming robots, no busty, big-eyed heroines, or letcherous schoolboys being hit with giant hyperdimensional hammers. For parents looking for something to take their kids to, this movie requires a little consideration. I've heard many parents complain that it's too scary for their kids. Indeed, it may be a bit visually dynamic for your average preschooler, but it's no worse than the kind of stuff you're letting them watch in Ren & Stimpy or the aforementioned Dragonball Z. I've seen more parents buying kids the 8-Mile DVD than taking their kids to see Spirited Away. Bear in mind that PG is not the new G. PG still implies there are things in the movie that may require parental guidance. Parents should keep in mind that animation is viewed as an art form in Japan, and that not all animated movies are kiddie fodder such as Disney fare and Pokemon. On the whole, I would say Spirited Away is no scarier than Disney's early Snow White, or their adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This, however, definitely is not Bambi. Many folks may also be put off by the talk of Spirited Away being a "weird" movie. IMO, Spirited Away is kind of a Japanese version of Alice in Wonderland. I won't go into the details of the movie, which you can easily find other places online. One must keep in mind that this is a **Japanese** film, and what is weird to Western moviegoers is not so to Eastern viewers. The film draws heavily on its Japanese roots, incorporating storytelling elements from Japanese literature, theatre, folklore, and even Shinto and Buddhist elements. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes. Even if you don't care much for the story, the backgrounds are breathtaking. This is not a cartoon that is cranked out for the purpose of merchandising, but an animated feast that is lovingly crafted to convey a story. To say this movie is a mere cartoon is like saying the original Mona Lisa is a suitable placemat for a TV tray. Spirited Away is a breath of fresh air among animated movies that are little more than FX extravaganzas. It is a movie that tells a story about the power of the human heart to prevail in even the most inhuman of situations. Conflicts are not resolved with swords and scorcery, but with compassion and insight. This is a movie that demonstrates that the knowledge of who you are as a person is more valuable than mad kung-fu skills or "catching them all." To sum up, Spirited Away is, as I have come to refer to it, an "animated hiaku."
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece!
Review: I'm not a huge fan of anime, in fact, the only ones I really enjoy are made by Studio Ghibli (the exception being Metropolis.)
This is a classic anime film, winner of many awards, that I consider to be one of/if not Miyazaki's best film. It's not really a movie for children either. It's rated PG for a reason, and while it is animated, many scenes are probably quite disturbing for children. It isn't really advertised for children either, from what I've seen, it's just that it is animated, so parents are automatically going to assume they should take their children to it. One must understand that in Japan, animation isn't considered just a children's art form. It is highly respected by many adults and teenagers. And there is a lot of Japanese culture depicted in this film that many Americans will not understand. I didn't understand a lot of the things said in the film myself. It's actually kind of sad, because I know a lot of parents are going to see this movie advertised, see that it is from Walt Disney Studios and when they take their children to see it, they will find that it is not typical animated fare, and will be very disappointed by it. But for adults who know what to expect, they will be amazed by the plot and animation of this movie. I have several friends who are not fans of anime (and in fact some have spoken against it...), who saw this movie with me and really enjoyed it. Anyways, the dubbing in the movie is fantastic (and I have seen the Japanese version), the soundtrack is amazing. The animation is stunning and the plot is very different, but great. There is a reason it has won so many awards, is so critically acclaimed, loved by many animators and the best selling movie of all time in Japan. If you go in knowing what to expect, you will be amazed. Overall, it is a masterpiece of animation. While I don't think all children will be scared by the film, a parent should definitely view the film first to decide whether it is appropriate or not for their kids. It is a very different type of movie, with a deep and weird plot. But if you go in expecting this, you will probably be like my friends and I, who were entranced by the young girl, Chihiro, adventures in the land of spirits. I will definitely be picking up the DVD for this one when it comes out in a few weeks.
Rating:
Summary: A magical ride!!!!
Review: When animated films were just about going downhill with Disney's direct-to-video releases, and Warner Bros. poor attempts at imitating quality Disney classics, along came Lilo and Stitch, Spirit, and the little seen Spirited Away, an amazing film from Japan that deservedly beat its competition to win Best Animated Feature at this year's Academy Awards. Writer/director Hayao Miyazaki's animé fantasy epic is the first animated film in the 50-year history of the prestigious Venice Film Festival to win the top prize. In Japan, the movie earned $230 million, dethroning "Titanic" as the country's box office champ. Miyazaki knows all the uses of enchantment. "Spirited Away" references everything from Grimms' fairy tales to Greek myths as it plunges us into a world that gets curiouser and curiouser and curiouser. The simple, yet elegant story follows10-year-old Chihiro (expertly voiced by Daveigh Chase from "Lilo & Stitch"). Tucked into the back seat of her parents' car, she refuses to be happy about the family's move to a new suburban neighborhood. "It'll be an adventure," Mom and Dad insist. More so than they could possibly imagine. Dad takes a wrong turn and comes upon what appears to be an abandoned theme park. Chihiro would rather stay in the car, but her folks want to explore. Finding a sumptuous unattended feast, they hungrily gobble down everything in sight, despite protests from their daughter.
Her parents refuse to listen, so the brave little girl wanders off to explore. When she returns, her parents have been horribly transformed -- and once the sun goes down, the park is transformed, too. It becomes filled with an astonishing array of gods, spirits and unimaginable creatures. Haku (Jason Marsden), a handsome boy with Prince Valiant bangs, helpfully explains that she's accidentally stumbled into a kind of spa for the spirit world. Everything and everyone in "Spirited Away" can turn into something entirely different. Transformations and metamorphoses are the essence of Miyazaki's film. Even Chihiro is transformed by her adventures. As in all classic fairy tales, she learns that if you're clever, brave and good, you can triumph over even the most desperate and unnerving ordeals. Miyazaki's nonstop images are so stunning, and his imagination so vivid, that the only possible complaint you could have about "Spirited Away" is that there is no rest period, no timeout. Everywhere you look, there's something incredible. It's a marvel to behold. The English-language version comes courtesy of Disney (the producer is John Lasseter of "Toy Story" fame), but please note the PG rating. "Spirited Away" is not for younger kids or anxiety-prone adolescents. A lot of this is the stuff bad dreams are made of. For everyone else, "Spirited Away" is not to be missed. It's what movie magic is all about. One of the best animated films ever made.
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